NHS-funded Nursing Care explained
NHS-funded Nursing Care is a weekly NHS payment toward the nursing element of care in a nursing home. This guide explains who gets it and how it differs from CHC.
NHS-funded Nursing Care, or FNC, is a flat weekly amount the NHS pays toward the cost of registered nursing for people living in a nursing home who do not qualify for full Continuing Healthcare. It is paid directly to the home to cover the nursing element of care. Unlike Continuing Healthcare, it does not cover the whole fee, only the nursing part, and you or the council still pay for the rest of the care and accommodation.
At a glance
- What it isA flat weekly NHS contribution to nursing
- CoversThe registered nursing element only
- Paid toThe nursing home directly
- Means-tested?No
- Who gets itNursing home residents not eligible for full CHC
- RateA single national flat rate, set each year (2025/26)
What is NHS-funded Nursing Care?
NHS-funded Nursing Care is a contribution the NHS makes toward the cost of care provided by a registered nurse in a nursing home. It is paid as a flat weekly amount, the same for everyone who qualifies, directly to the home. It is meant to cover the nursing part of someone's care, recognising that nursing is a health cost the NHS funds even when the rest of the care is paid for privately or by the council.
This guide is for families and individuals. FNC applies in England; the other UK nations have their own equivalents. We avoid quoting an exact rate here because it is reviewed each year; ask the home or the NHS for the current 2025/26 figure.
Who gets it?
FNC is for people who live in a nursing home, need care from a registered nurse, and have been assessed as not eligible for full NHS Continuing Healthcare. In practice, most people are considered for Continuing Healthcare first. If they do not meet the bar for full CHC funding but still need nursing care, FNC is the contribution that follows.
- You live in a care home that is registered to provide nursing
- You have a need for care from a registered nurse
- You have been assessed as not eligible for full Continuing Healthcare
How FNC differs from Continuing Healthcare
The two are often confused, but they are very different in scope. Continuing Healthcare can pay the entire cost of someone's care. NHS-funded Nursing Care pays only a flat amount toward the nursing part, leaving the rest of the fee to be met by the resident or the council.
| Feature | Continuing Healthcare (CHC) | Funded Nursing Care (FNC) |
|---|---|---|
| What it pays | The full cost of care | A flat weekly amount for nursing only |
| Who it is for | A primary health need | Nursing home residents not eligible for CHC |
| Means-tested | No | No |
| Rest of the fee | Fully covered | Paid by you or the council |
How you get it and how it affects your bill
Assessment for FNC usually happens alongside or after a Continuing Healthcare assessment, so you do not normally apply separately. If you qualify, the weekly amount is paid straight to the home and should reduce what you pay, though some homes apply it in different ways, so it is worth asking exactly how it affects your invoice.
FNC is paid to the home, not to you, so ask the home to show you how the contribution is reflected in your fees. If your needs change, your eligibility for FNC and for full Continuing Healthcare should be reviewed. For your specific case, speak to the NHS team that carried out the assessment.
NHS-funded Nursing Care explained: common questions
What is NHS-funded Nursing Care?
It is a flat weekly amount the NHS pays toward the cost of registered nursing for people in a nursing home who do not qualify for full Continuing Healthcare. It is paid directly to the home and covers the nursing element of care only.
Who is eligible for NHS-funded Nursing Care?
People who live in a care home registered for nursing, who need care from a registered nurse, and who have been assessed as not eligible for full NHS Continuing Healthcare. Assessment usually follows on from a Continuing Healthcare assessment.
What is the difference between FNC and Continuing Healthcare?
Continuing Healthcare can pay the full cost of someone's care for a primary health need. Funded Nursing Care pays only a flat weekly amount toward the nursing part, leaving the rest of the fee to be met by you or the council. Neither is means-tested.
Is NHS-funded Nursing Care means-tested?
No. Like Continuing Healthcare, FNC is health funding, so your savings, income and home are not taken into account. If you qualify, the contribution is paid regardless of your finances.
How much is NHS-funded Nursing Care?
It is a single national flat rate that is reviewed each year. We do not quote a figure here because it changes; ask your nursing home or the NHS team for the current 2025/26 rate and how it is applied to your fees.
Related guides
Need help with your own situation?
We can introduce you to an FCA-authorised care funding specialist who will look at your circumstances and the options.